The first national recreation area in the United States, Lake Mead stretches across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and brilliant blue waters in Arizona and Nevada. Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a year-round playground for millions of Americans who come to boat, hike, cycle, camp, fish or enjoy a moment in the park’s nine wilderness areas. In addition to being a place for recreation, it’s also a home of plants and animals, and is a critical water source for many in the Southwest. Photos by National Park Service.
